Resumé, please!

Looking for a part- or fulltime job? The Winnipeg Career Fair and Training Expo is taking place on Sept. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the RBC Convention Centre. Attendees can network with more than 100 businesses, companies and organizations that are hiring or providing career resources, training and continuing-education programs. The Jobs Canada Fair will return to Winnipeg on Nov. 29, 2023 and Jan. 25, 2024.

Nomination for UWSA byelection

Students at the University of Winnipeg, or those who hold office as a member of the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association, can be nominated for the UWSA byelection until Sept. 28. Vacant positions at the UWSA include an environmental ethics director, recreation and athletics director and a women, trans and non-binary students’ director. These positions represent community interests and act as liaisons between students, service centres and other groups.

City record for fires in vacant buildings

Winnipeg reported a new annual record of 104 fires in vacant buildings this August – an increase of 20 vacant-building fires compared to the previous record of 84 in 2022 and 64 in 2021. There are approximately 600 to 700 vacant buildings in Winnipeg, according to the City, which began charging property owners with vacant buildings for any firefighting costs. As of Aug. 31, the city has issued 27 bills totalling more than $750,000, with the highest bill costing almost $104,000.

Counter-protest against ‘parental rights’ march

2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy groups held a counter-protest against “1MillionMarch-4Children,” a movement opposing “gender ideology” in schools. Between 1,500 and 2,000 people rallied against each other, including 250 to 300 counter-protesters at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Sept. 20 at noon, according to the Winnipeg Police Service. Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ rallies are linked to “parental-rights” policies that would require educators to obtain parental consent before using a students’ chosen first name and pronouns.

Gillingham addresses downtown safety strategy

Mayor Scott Gillingham discussed his plans to revitalize downtown with more than 60 business owners and employees, including the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, on Sept. 18. The City is considering the return of a grant program covering 50 per cent of eligible safety exterior lighting for businesses, which was discontinued in 2021 due to a lack of interest. By the end of the year, Gillingham also plans to have 24 peace officers patrolling Winnipeg Transit buses and bus stops to address issues of violence.

Calls for landfill search continue

On Sept. 18, 200 supporters rallied at the Manitoba Legislative Building, demanding that government officials make a decision to search for the bodies of two First Nations women – Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran – that the Winnipeg Police Service suspect are located in the Prairie Green landfill. Premier Heather Stefanson is refusing to commit to a search, citing a risk of exposure to toxic chemicals and asbestos, which was listed in the feasibility report. Advocates continue to pressure the provincial and federal governments to agree to the search that could cost between $84 million to $184 million.

Published in Volume 78, Number 03 of The Uniter (September 21, 2023)